Jan 14, 2014
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College basketball team extended its winning streak to nine games with a dominating 80-52 Liberty League victory over the Rochester Institute of Technology in Bristol Gym tonight. The Herons used a smothering defense to build a big halftime lead and then shot the lights out on offense to close it out.
William Smith (10-2, 3-0 LL) limited the Tigers to just six field goals in the opening 20 minutes, a mere 18.2 percent shooting. The Herons shot 36.1 percent from the floor and sank 10-of-11 at the foul line.
William Smith scored the first seven points of the game and never trailed. The Heron lead reached 10 on first-year Melanie Patterson's layup at the 8:09 mark. Senior Courtney Tennant made a layup at 7:52 to get the Tigers within eight, 23-15, but the visitor's didn't make another field goal for the remainder of the half, missing their final 10 shots. William Smith closed the half on a 15-4 run powered by senior Jacqueline Murphy (7 pts), junior Molly Breen (6), and Patterson (2).
Murphy finished with her fourth straight double-double on a game-high 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Patterson tallied 10 points and Breen had eight points and six boards.
After the break, William Smith shot 51.6 percent from the floor and never let RIT get closer than its 19-point halftime deficit. The Herons again played tough D, limiting the Tigers to 30.8 percent shooting. William Smith controlled the glass throughout the night, finishing with a 59-36 rebounding advantage.
Junior Chloe Hayter matched Murphy's 13 points and grabbed five boards. Senior Sasha Borenstein made 4-of-9 3-point tries for 12 points. Senior Erin O'Brien added eight points and a game-high six assists. Sophomore Hailey Dietrich chipped in four rebounds, three blocked shots, and two assists.
The Tigers' Ashlynn Palmitesso posted team-highs with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Herons will be back in action on Friday, Jan. 17, when they travel to Vassar. Tipoff in Poughkeepsie is scheduled for 6 p.m.